§ Mr. BerryTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) which Minister in his Department has responsibility for the Disability Discrimination Bill in respect of the provision of goods and services; [16366]
(2) what discussions he or his ministerial colleagues have held with Ministers in other Departments in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16364]
(3) what is his Department's policy in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16365]
(4) what consideration his Department has given to the effects of specific clauses of the Disability Discrimination Bill in respect of (a) small businesses, (b) medium-size businesses and (c) large businesses; [16363]
(5) if officials in his Department have at any point been involved in discussions concerning any aspect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16362]
(6) what future role he expects his Department to play in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16361]
(7) what discussions his Department has held with non-Government bodies in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16360]
(8) what role his Department played in the development of the cost compliance assessment for the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16359]
(9) what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the Disability Discrimination Bill on industry; [16358]
(10) what discussions his officials have held with other Departments in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill. [16357]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansMy right hon. and noble Friend Earl Ferrers has responsibility for all aspects of consumer affairs. As well as my responsibility for corporate affairs, I have the responsibility, as deregulation Minister, for leading, under the authority of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, the Government's deregulation initiative, ensuring, across all Departments, that any proposals that may impose burdens on business are properly appraised. DTI Ministers and officials play and continue to play a full part in collective and bilateral discussion with their Government colleagues in developing the Government's policies in areas such as disability, consulting as necessary representative bodies, businesses and consumers on the affects such measures may have and their impact on business compliance costs.
The Government's assessment of the impact of the Disability Discrimination Bill on business is set out in the compliance cost assessment "Ending Discrimination against Disabled People", issued in January 1995 by the 404W Department of social Security, which has the policy lead in Government on disability issues. The role of the DTI deregulation unit in relation to CCAs is to monitor their quality, coverage of smaller firms, and ensure a consistent approach across Government. The unit provides guidance and acts as a source of advise to those requiring help with the preparation of CCAs.